Topographic Maps
topoBuilder
Create custom USGS topographic maps on demand using the best available data from The National Map
Explore Historical USGS Topographic Maps
The Historical Topographic Map Collection contains USGS topographic maps published 1884 to 2006
Topographic maps became a signature product of the USGS because the public found them - then and now - to be a critical and versatile tool for viewing the nation's vast landscape.
Get Topo Maps
Current US Topos and historical topographic maps are available as digital files or printed to order.
Create an OnDemand Topo
Build a USGS topographic map with choice of format, area of interest, scale, and National Map content.
The National Map
The National Geospatial Program publishes a variety of geospatial data products and services via The National Map.
A Brief Overview of USGS Topographic Maps
USGS topographic maps fall into three primary product categories:
1. The Historical Topographic Map Collection (HTMC) is the set of scanned images of USGS topographic quadrangle maps originally published as paper documents in the period 1884-2006. Visit Historical Topographic Maps - Preserving the Past for more information.
2. US Topo is the current USGS topographic map series for the Nation. These are modeled on the legacy 7.5-minute maps, but are mass-produced from GIS databases of The National Map and published as digital documents. Please visit US Topo: Maps for America for full details.
3. OnDemand Topos are USGS-style topographic maps created using the topoBuilder application. These maps are generated upon request using the best available data from The National Map and offer customizations such as choice of format, area of interest, and National Map content. Learn more at the topoBuilder landing page.
Additional Resources
Explore All Options for Downloading or Ordering USGS Topographic Maps
Topographic Map FAQs
Access Lists of All Versions of US Topo and Historical Topographic Maps
US Topo: Maps for America US Topo: Maps for America
topoBuilder topoBuilder
Historical Topographic Maps - Preserving the Past Historical Topographic Maps - Preserving the Past
Related
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps? How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. Some of the most well-known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also called 7.5-minute quadrangles. In 2009, the USGS transitioned from our hand scribed historical topographic maps to US Topos, which are computer-generated on a regular schedule using national databases...
How do US Topo maps differ from historical USGS topographic maps? How do US Topo maps differ from historical USGS topographic maps?
Historically, USGS topographic maps were made using data from primary sources including direct field observations. Those maps were compiled, drawn, and edited by hand. By today's standards, those traditional methods are very expensive and time-consuming, and the USGS no longer has funding to make maps that way. A new USGS topographic map series was launched in 2009 and branded " US Topo." Though...
Can I still get the older topographic maps? Can I still get the older topographic maps?
Yes. Topographic maps originally published as paper documents between 1884-2006 have been scanned and published as the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection. Download our historical topographic maps and our more current US Topo maps (published 2009-present) free of charge using TopoView (GeoPDF, GeoTIFF, JPEG, and KMZ formats) or using the USGS Store’s Map Locator (GeoPDF format). Order paper...
How do USGS OnDemand Topo maps differ from US Topo maps? How do USGS OnDemand Topo maps differ from US Topo maps?
USGS OnDemand Topo maps and USGS US Topo maps are built using similar datasets but can look different depending on what areas or options the user selects. OnDemand Topos--created using the topoBuilder application--offer customizations such as custom extents, a variety of scales, contour smoothing, and user-selected data layers. They include U.S. Territory coverage that is not available on US...
Related
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps? How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. Some of the most well-known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also called 7.5-minute quadrangles. In 2009, the USGS transitioned from our hand scribed historical topographic maps to US Topos, which are computer-generated on a regular schedule using national databases...
How do US Topo maps differ from historical USGS topographic maps? How do US Topo maps differ from historical USGS topographic maps?
Historically, USGS topographic maps were made using data from primary sources including direct field observations. Those maps were compiled, drawn, and edited by hand. By today's standards, those traditional methods are very expensive and time-consuming, and the USGS no longer has funding to make maps that way. A new USGS topographic map series was launched in 2009 and branded " US Topo." Though...
Can I still get the older topographic maps? Can I still get the older topographic maps?
Yes. Topographic maps originally published as paper documents between 1884-2006 have been scanned and published as the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection. Download our historical topographic maps and our more current US Topo maps (published 2009-present) free of charge using TopoView (GeoPDF, GeoTIFF, JPEG, and KMZ formats) or using the USGS Store’s Map Locator (GeoPDF format). Order paper...
How do USGS OnDemand Topo maps differ from US Topo maps? How do USGS OnDemand Topo maps differ from US Topo maps?
USGS OnDemand Topo maps and USGS US Topo maps are built using similar datasets but can look different depending on what areas or options the user selects. OnDemand Topos--created using the topoBuilder application--offer customizations such as custom extents, a variety of scales, contour smoothing, and user-selected data layers. They include U.S. Territory coverage that is not available on US...